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An ass and an arse

howardlhowardl Posts: 5,120
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in General Discussion #1
Could someone explain to some on here what the difference is between an ASS and an ARSE.
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    ianradioianianradioian Posts: 75,182
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    #2
    Ass is an americanism.
    arse is an ancient English word
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    steveh31steveh31 Posts: 13,516
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    #3
    An ass is a donkey and is mainly used by Americans as an insult.
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    DianaFireDianaFire Posts: 12,711
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    #4
    One is also a donkey.
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    Wee TinkersWee Tinkers Posts: 12,782
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    #5
    No difference to me. They are interchangeable.

    You can add 'd' or 'ed' to mean bothered e.g. I cannae be arsed or I can't be assed.
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    muggins14muggins14 Posts: 61,844
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    #6
    My Mum - who's from Manchester - would say one's posh and one isn't :D (she says ass and I say arse, she says bath and I, according to her, say barth :D)

    Not saying she's right, just saying what she would say ;)
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    trevgotrevgo Posts: 28,241
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    #7
    I much prefer arse.
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    jjwalesjjwales Posts: 48,602
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    #8
    ianradioian wrote: »
    Ass is an americanism.
    arse is an ancient English word

    So is ass. It's even in the Bible!
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    Pumping IronPumping Iron Posts: 29,891
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    #9
    I would use both. 'Nice arse' or 'takes it up the ass'.
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    muggins14muggins14 Posts: 61,844
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    #10
    Pumping Iron wrote: »
    I would use both. 'Nice arse' or 'takes it up the ass'.
    I think I've used both, even when not talking about beasts of burden :D
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    Jason CJason C Posts: 31,341
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    #11
    howardl wrote: »
    Could someone explain to some on here what the difference is between an ASS and an ARSE.

    There is none - you can ride both.
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    RhumbatuggerRhumbatugger Posts: 85,713
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    #12
    I think 'arse' is far superior and more satisfying to say, than 'ass', which I only use meaning 'donkey', as in 'the law is an ass'.

    Bum is the word I use for 'ass'. Arse is far ruder.
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    LostFoolLostFool Posts: 90,674
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    #13
    Rhumbatugger wrote: »
    I think 'arse' is far superior and more satisfying to say, than 'ass', which I only use meaning 'donkey', as in 'the law is an ass'.

    Bum is the word I use for 'ass'. Arse is far ruder.

    Yes, "ass" really isn't rude in American English. It's equivalent to "bum" or "backside".

    Fanny on the other hand...
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    grumpyscotgrumpyscot Posts: 11,356
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    #14
    Arse, when said by a very properly spoken hoity-toity sounds so much better than Ass. It has such a posh ring to it (excuse the pun!) that the American version doesn't.

    Besides, up in Scotland, many pronounce it Erse (as in up-yer-erse) - to say Ess just doesn't sound right at all!
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    jmclaughjmclaugh Posts: 64,006
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    #15
    Ass comes from the latin name for a donkey, equus africanus asinus.

    Arse is a far more satifying term for you backside, an insult or I can be arsed than the US ass.
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    jjwalesjjwales Posts: 48,602
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    #16
    I seem to be alone here in my extreme dislike of the word "arse" - always sounds rather crude to me! I don't mind the American equivalent half so much.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,249
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    #17
    One is hairy and often has to endure heavy loads. The other is a donkey.
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    TyrTyr Posts: 625
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    #18
    "Ass" is the prissy, sanitised American euphamism, much like "darn" is to "damn" and "oh shoot!" is to "oh shit!", etc.

    "Arse" is the true Anglo Saxon term in all its rude and uncouth glory.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,181
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    #19
    Don't expect the Americans to know that both spellings have diferent meanings
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    nobodyherenobodyhere Posts: 1,313
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    #20
    One is a donkey the other is what shows when I forget my belt :s
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    muggins14muggins14 Posts: 61,844
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    #21
    ecckles wrote: »
    Don't expect the Americans to know that both spellings have diferent meanings
    Haha :D
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    80sfan80sfan Posts: 18,522
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    #22
    Wee Tinkers wrote: »
    No difference to me. They are interchangeable.

    You can add 'd' or 'ed' to mean bothered e.g. I cannae be arsed or I can't be assed.

    Oh dear. As bad as those who use 'y'all' on forums too when they are actually from Huddersfield lol :D
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    CLL DodgeCLL Dodge Posts: 116,039
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    #23
    steveh31 wrote: »
    An ass is a donkey and is mainly used by Americans as an insult.

    They use it to mean arse, when not using butt.
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    80sfan80sfan Posts: 18,522
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    #24
    Tyr wrote: »
    "Ass" is the prissy, sanitised American euphamism, much like "darn" is to "damn" and "oh shoot!" is to "oh shit!", etc.

    "Arse" is the true Anglo Saxon term in all its rude and uncouth glory.

    Just like Arsch in German :D
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    Chuck WaoChuck Wao Posts: 2,724
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    #25
    ecckles wrote: »
    Don't expect the Americans to know that both spellings have diferent meanings

    Don't expect Americans to care less either
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    CFCJM1CFCJM1 Posts: 2,065
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    #26
    howardl wrote: »
    Could someone explain to some on here what the difference is between an ASS and an ARSE.

    Kim Kardashian fits both categories.
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